Tractor mounted sweep rake



Oct. 27, 1953 D, STAUFFER 2,656,663

TRACTOR MOUNTED SWEEP RAKE Filed Aug. 10. 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet l L'Snpentor Gttorneg Oct. 27, 1953 A. D. STAUFFER TRACTOR MOUNTED SWEEP RAKE 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Aug. 10. 1948 Zmvenfol Waew aQzZlwz .QZZWM Oct. 27, 1953 A. D. STAUFFER 2,656,663

TRACTOR MOUNTED SWEEP RAKE Filed Aug. 10, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 6? Suncutor W41 26424071 dad 7M Gttonmg Patented Oct. 27, 195 3 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,656,663 TRACTOR MOUNTED SWEEP RAKE Andrew Dillon Stauffer, Leipsic, Ohio Application August 10, 1948, Serial No. 43,500

14 Claims. 1

The present invention relates broadly to agricultural implements and more particularly to a sweep rake designed for the gathering and transporting of hay, straw, and the like.

It is the primary purpose and object of this invention to provide a sweep rake of novel and improved construction which will hold and transport a relatively larger load of hay, straw, and the like than prior rakes of comparable size.

Another important object of the invention is the provision of such a sweep rake having means for retaining the normally larger load of material collected in place thereon and for enabling transportation thereof without danger of losing it.

Another important object of the invention is the provision of a sweep rake characterized by the provision of means or mechanism for engaging the loose material collected on the rake and for moving it to the rear of said rake and compacting the same into a relatively dense mass whereby the normal load of the rake is substantially increased.

Another object of the invention is the provision of material compacting mechanism automatically operable as the rake is propelled forwardly to continuously move the hay or straw rearwardly on the rake and form it into a relatively compact mass.

Another object of the invention is the provision of means associated with the rake for facilitating the unloading of the compacted mass of hay or straw therefrom.

A further object of the invention is the provision of such a rak having novel means for connection to a conventional farm tractor, the rake being mounted in advance of the tractor so that its position, movements and gathered load may be readily observed and easily and conveniently controlled by the operator of the tractor.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of such a rake which, while of relatively simple design for an implement of the above character, is of strong, sturdy and durable construction as well as eflicient and reliable in operation.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent during the course of the following description, when taken in connection with the accompanyin drawings.

In the drawings, wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

Fig. l is a perspective View of a sweep rake constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of a portion of the rake;

Fig. 3 is a front view thereof;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a side view of a portion of the rake and supporting means therefor;

Fig. 6 is a detail view of one of the material gathering arms;

Fig. 7 is a detail View of the lower portion of one of the material unloading rods;

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view on a reduced scale showing the rake operatively associated with a conventional farm tractor;

Fig. 9 is a plan view on a reduced scale of the rake and tractor;

Fig. 10 is a rear view of the tractor showing its connections with and drive for the rake; and

Fig. 11 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the compound movements described by the material gathering arms.

With reference now to the drawings, and particularly to Fig. 1, there is disclosed a sweep rake constructed in accordance with the invention and enerally indicated by the numeral Ill, said rake comprising a structural frame I l carrying a plurality of material gathering tines or prongs l2 and the material collecting and compacting mechanism I3. The frame H and associated parts are carried by a supporting means I4 shown as being operatively connected to a conventional farm tractor l5 (Fig. 8).

The frame II is fabricated, as by welding together the transversely disposed, horizontal angle bars [6, H and I8 and generally vertical braces I9 and 26. The horizontally spaced angle bars [6 and ll constitute the bottom of the frame ll, while the horizontal angle bar i8, spaced above angle bar ll, constitutes the upper rail thereof and is supported at its opposite ends and also intermediate its ends by vertical braces [9 secured to said bar it and to the bar IT. The braces or struts 29 extend downwardly at an angle from bar I6 to bar i6 and are secured thereto. The bars 16 and I! are so positioned relative to one another that the prongs [2 of the rake will be supported on the horizontal web of bar [6, with the inner end of each prong enaging the under-surface of the similarly disposed web of bar I! and anchored thereby.

The material gathering prongs I2 are maintained in spaced, parallel relationship by inverted U-shaped straps 2| which are secured to and form a part of bar [6. Thus, as best shown in Fig. 3, the straps 2| and bar l6 cooperate to form rectangular openings through which the prongs are inserted. A slight deflection is pro 3 duced in the length of the prongs between the straps 2! and bar ll which serves to more effectively anchor the prongs since the major portions 22 thereof, extending forwardly from the bar i6, substantially han from the point of support on the said bar. In order that the arrangement established between the frame H and prongs [2 may be maintained, suitable nut and bolt connections or theslike 23 are used to secure the prongs in the straps 2|, while similar connection 24 secure the rear ends of the prongs to the bar ll. This assures a very rigid imple'-' ment while also affording a convenient" means for disassembling the prongs from said frame for shipping, transportation, or storage purposes.

Since the prongs l2 usually'employed in this type of rake are of wood, the outer ends thereof are preferably protected by pointed metal tips 25 so that when the rake is located in gathering position and the prongs are directed toward the ground, the leading ends thereof will be protected from splintering or otherwise becoming damaged.

The'rake I6 isparticularly adaptedfor use in conjunction with a motor powered tractor such as is in common use for agricultural purposes. The general association of rake and tractor is illustrated in Figs. 5; 8 and 9, wherein the rake I6 is connected to the tractor by the supporting means 14. The rake supporting means I4 comprises a pair of spaced horizontal rails 26 pivotally connected at their forward ends to the rake by pins 21 passing through openings 28 in fixed mounting plates 29 secured to bars- 3|.I

forming a part of frame H and held rigid by braces 3|. Adjacent the forward ends thereof, the rails 26 are tied together by a transverse I-beam 32 supported at its oppositeends by ground wheels 33 mounted on stub axles 34-carried by king pins 35 in a well knownmanner.

The rails 26- parallel the body or carriage of the tractor and the rear ends thereof are suitably connected by bolts or the like 36 to the housing 31 of the rear axle of the tractor. Traction for the rake Ill is thus effected through the rails 26 and ground wheels 33 so that the rake is propelled ahead of the tractor to gather and transport loads of hay and the like. The ground wheels 33 are connected together at their king pin mountings 35 by a--- tie rod 38 which is in turn connected through a tie rod 39 to one steering knuckle of the front wheels of the tractor as at 40. With this arrangement; both forward and rearward motion, as well as turning of the tractor, are imparted to the mobile elements of the rake to the end that the rake and tractor'can be easily maneuvered as a unit.

When the rake is in gathering position, it will assume the lowered position indicated by broken lines A in Fig. 8, while in transporting position it will assume the raised position indicated by broken lines B. Th raisingand lowering of the forward end of the rake is produced by bodily movement thereof about the pins 21. Movement of the rake to its different positions is effected by cables 4| attached at their rear ends to power actuated levers 42 forming a part of the tractors power plant. Fromthese levers, the cables are trained downwardly about pulleys 43 and thence forwardly, and attached, at opposite sides of the carriage, to forked links 44 pivotally connected to rings 45 secured to the upper rail ill of frame ll. When the tractor control for the levers 42 is actuated, the rake will be swung to' either of the positions indicated in Fig. 8, accord- 4 ing to the direction of rotation of said levers. The close working relation between the raking implement l6 and tractor l5, as thus described makes it possible for complete operation of the rake to be handled with ease and efficiency from the customary driving position on the tractor.

As the rake I0 is propelled forwardly and the gathered material accumulated on the prongs I2, the material is movedirearwardly of the rake and compacted into a more dense mass or pile by the collecting and compacting mechanism l3 to increase the over-all load. The collecting mechanism iii-comprises a plurality of and, as here shown, preferably six, oscillating arms 46 mechanically' actuated so as to move forwardly and enter the gathered hay, then lift it upwardly and rearwardly, and retract therefrom as they ai 'e lowered. The outer end of each arm 46 carries a fork attachment 4'! which facilitates engagement with the loose. material. The fork 41 is" piv'Otally carried". at the end of arm 46 by a pin. 48" and is held in normal extended or gathering position, as shown in full lines in Fig. 6,- by a spring, 49. When the arm 46 reaches the end of its forward and upward stroke and moves downwardly',.the fork 41 is deflectedupwardly by the: resisting pressure of the accumulated material: during downward sweep of the arm, as indicated in broken lines, thereby allowing the fork to be easily. withdrawn fromthe' compacted mass of hay.

The: various positions assumed by the arms-46 andforks 4-! inthe'cycle. of their movementlare best seen in Fig. 4, beginning with the lowermost arm d and progressing upwardly and out wardly to the top of itsmovement as indicated by arm I, where each arm begins-its downward course in asubstantially rearward direction; The arms are automatically actuated so asto enter and withdraw from thehay. at. regularly separated interva-ls across the Width of the rake. by means of a common drive shaft 50 journalled in bearings 51 carried by vertical braces l9 andhaving crank portions 52. Th arms 46- are. mounted at their inner ends upon the crank pins 53 of cranks 52 and are thus moved forwardly and rearwardly asthe cranks 52 are rotated.

Cooperating with crank shaft 50 to move the arms 46 through their oscillating movement are links 54-pivotally connected-to the arms 46 intermediate their endsby pins 55 located in ears 56 attached to said arms. The" opposite end of each link is' hungaby means of a pin- 5! froma hanger plate 58 secured. to the bar l8. Each link 54 causes its-related arm 46 tofollow anoscillating path upon rotation of the crank shaft 50. Thus, as each crank 5-2 revolves counter-clockwise through the upper half of its cycle, the related arm 46 is thrust forwardly and, by reason of its associated link 54,- upward; likewise, as the said crankrevolves through the bottomhalfof its cycle, the arm will be drawn rearwardly andsimultaneousl-y downwardly.

As the forked. ends 4? of. the material collecting arms 46 move rearwardly and downwardly, the rods or struts 20 cooperate to free theforks 41 from the hay. Asshown in Figs.- 2 and 3, these struts are. located so as-to create defining walls through whichthe arms-and forks move. The strutswhile serving to reinforce the: framework II, also afford effective means for stripping the gathered hay from the forks and urging it in an upward direction.

The crank portions 52 of crank shaft 56 are divided into two groups of three each, with the cranks of each group being arranged at an angle of 120 degrees with respect to one another, while the cranks of one group are also offset from those of the other group an additional angle of 60 degrees. Thus, there will be no sequential order of lifting of the arms 46 transversely of the rake, but rather the outward gathering movement of an arm located in one group will be followed by a similar movement of an arm located in the other group.

More particularly, upon reference to Figs. 1 and 4, the right-hand, outermost gathering arm a is passing through the central area of its upward path; the next arm b is approaching the lower limits of its movement; and the third arm is moving to enter the downward and rearward cycle of its path. The relative positions of the arms, as denoted by their forked ends 41, indicate the spaced relation of one group arranged as described above. Proceeding to the fourth arm (1, it will be seen that, in timing, it follows the first arm a and is advanced onesixth of the cycle of revolution of the crank shaft 55; similarly, the fifth arm e, descending in a rearward direction, follows the second arm b, while the last or outermost arm 1 is approaching the crest of the upward motion and follows arm 0. Such an arrangement of periodic entry of the forks 41 into the material being gathered on the rake has been found preferable since there will be no feeding of the hay toward either side of the raking implement and the general trend of material movement will be rearward and upward in a compacted mass more uniformly distributed across the rake.

The cycle of movement of the arms 46 is illustrated diagrammatically in Fig. 11. The crank portions 52 of crank shaft 50 describe a circle, as indicated by the letter C, and cooperate with the links 54 which swing in an arc, indicated by the letter D to cause each of the arms 46 to describe an irregular, closed path which resembles an inverted tear drop. The teetering of the arms 46 thus produces an upward, outward motion as indicated by the letterE to collect the hay and a subsequent downward, inward motion, indicated by the letter F, to retract the forked ends 41 of the arms from the hay.

The crank shaft 50 is operatively connected to the power plant of the tractor through a transmission unit 59, carried by the frame ll of the rake, and an articulated drive shaft 60. The shaft 60 is driven from the power take-off shaft SI of the tractor, which is extended from the rear axle drive mechanism in the conventional manner. A belt 62 (Fig. is trained about pulleys 63 and 64 keyed to shafts B0 and 6| to transmit the power. .The shaft 60 is journalled in bearings 65 attached to the carriage of the tractor and drives the transmission unit 59 through a telescopic shaft section 66. Preferably, the shaft section 66 is interconnected with shaft 60 and transmission unit 59 through universal joints 61 in order that the operation 0f crank shaft 50 can be continuous despite the movement of the tractor relative to the rake, or vice versa, as they are propelled over uneven ground or as the rake is pivoted upon the pins 26 into any desirable material gathering position.

The gathered material is confined upon the rake by shields 68 secured to the outermost gathering prongs 69. These shields are substantially triangular and gradually rise from the gathering tip of the prong to the storage areaof the rake at the back thereof. Cooperating, generally vertically, disposed rods "H1 and ll are carried by the bar 18 to prevent escape of the hay rearwardly from the, rake. Asshown in thevarious figures, the rods lo are fixedly attached to the bar 18 while the rods II are pivotally carried in brackets 12. H i

The rods ll extend downwardly, with their lower ends being located forwardly of and engaging bar [5. Pivoted to the lower end of each rod "H, as at 13, is a swinging hook 74. During forward or gathering movement of the rake, the rods H are prevented from moving rearwardly by the bar Hi, while hooks 14 are adapted to ride freely over the ground due to the pivotal connection 13. However, when the tractor I5 is reversed to draw the rake Ill rearwardly, the

pointed toe 15 of each hook l4 bites into the ground and is prevented from swinging forwardly relative to the rod by a cross-web Hi. This results in the rods ll being held stationary while the rake moves rearwardly. Due to this relative movement between the rods H and rake, the rods act to free the accumulated material from its compacted, loaded position, and force it to move forwardly and off of the prongs l2.

When moving the raking implement Ill into a field of cut material, the prongs l2 may be located in a substantially horizontal plane or tilted in a slightly upward direction. Having entered the field, the rake is swung upon the pins 21 when the control for the levers 42 is engaged to release the cables 4| and allow them to drop or lower the prongs l2 toward the ground. During forward movement of the tractor and rake, the cut hay will be carried onto the prongs and rearwardly into an accumulated mass. The loosely bunched mass is picked up by the gathering arms 46 and is compacted into a, denser formation as the arms are operated to force the gathered hay rearwardly and upwardly. The

arms are caused to function when the power take-off shaft BI is operatively connected to the motor of the tractor and said power is transmitted through the shaft 60 to the transmission unit 59 and crank shaft 50.

When it becomes necessary to turn the rake l0 and tractor so as to enter a field, or maneuver the rake therein, turning of the tractor is transmitted through the rods 38 and 39 and from the steering knuckles 40 to the wheels 33 on which the rake is carried.

Having obtained a full load of material on the raking implement, the power take-oif is disengaged to discontinue operation of the gathering arms 46 and the control for the levers 42 is actuated so that the cables 4| will swing the rake bodily from the gathering position A in Fig. 8 to carrying position B. Unloading of the rake is subsequently accomplished by returning the rake to gathering position and moving the tractor rearwardly of the piling area. As the rake is caused to move with the tractor, the points 15 of hooks 14, carried by the rods H,

enter the ground and cause the rods to swing forwardly about their pivots in the brackets 12. The rods H thus act to discharge the hay or to automatically initiate the movement thereof outwardly along the prongs l2 until, by reason of the compacted condition of the hay, it moves bodily away from the raking implement. Subsequently, during gathering of the hay, the hooks 14 will swing freely at the ends of the rods 1| directed materialgathering prongs carried by said framecharacterized by'the provision of a plurality of oscillating arms carried by the frame-- and cooperating withthe inner end portions of the prongs for engaging the material gathered-by'the prongs and for lifting and moving it rearwardlyandupwardly to form a compact massupon the inner end portions of said prongs, and means for limiting rear-wardmove-= ment of the mass' ofmaterial upon the said prongs;

2; A sweep rake having-a frame and forwardly directed material gather-ingprongs carriedby said frame, characterized bythe provision of a plurality of oscillating arms carried by the frame andcoop'erating withthe inner end portions of the prongs-for engaging the material gathered by the prongs and for lifting and-Ineving it rearwardly and upwardly to forma compact mass upon the inner end portions of said prongs; means also carried by saidframe for oscillating said arms, andmeans forming a part of the frame acting to strip the material from said arms during oscillation of the said arms.

3-: A sweeprakehav-ing aframe and forwardly directed materialgathering prongs carried by said frame, characterized by the provision ofa horizontal crankshaft rotatably mounted upon portions being separated irit'o two groups; those ofeach group being equally spaced around a the shaft; with the crank portions o'f on'c group axial ly offset With reSpect to'those of" the other group.

6. A sweep rake having a frame andmaterial gathering-prongs, characterized by the provision of a plurality of oscillating arms mounted upon theframe', forks'pivotally carried at: the outer ends'of the arms; spring means-normally maintaining the forks in substantial alignment-with saidarms, and means for-oscillating the arms to cause the forkstemo've forwardly and upward- 131 to engage thematerial gatheredtby the prongs and; move it rearwardly thereupon: and then downwardly and rearwardly to disengage the forks fromsaidmaterial, the: said forks being urged upwardly by the material and: against theaction of said s'pring means as the said arms move downwardly and rearwardly.

'7. A sweep rake having a frame and material gathering prongs, characterized by the provision of a horizontal crank shaft rotatably mounted upon said frame and having a-plurality of crank portions, arms carried by said crank portions, links'pivotally connected at one end to said frame and: at their opposite endsvto said arms, forks pivotally carried atthe outer ends of the arms, spring means normally maintaining. the forks in substantial alignment with said arms, and means for rotating said crank shaft to' oscillate the arms and therebycause the forks to move forwardly andupwardly' to engage thematerial gathered by the prongs and move it rearwardly saidframe and havinga plurality of crank por- 40 tions', arms carriedby said crank portions, links pivotally connected at one end t'o said frame and at their opposite ends to saidarmssubstantial- 1y intermediate their ends; and'means for driving said crank shaft to oscillatesaid: arms v through closed pathsto engage the material gathered by said prongs-and f0r liftingand moving it rearwardlythereupon.

4-. A sweep rake having a frame and forward- 13 directed material gathering prongscarried:

by saidframe, characterized" by the provision of ahoriz'ontalcrank shaft rotatably mounted upon said frame and having a pluralityofcrank portions equally spaced around the shaft, arms carried by saidcrank portions, -1inkspivotally con-3" paths to successively engage the materialr gathered by said prongs and for lifting and moving it rearwardly thereupon.

5. A sweep rake having a frame and forwardly directed material gathering prongs carried by said frame, characterized by the provision of a horizontal crank shaftrotata'b'ly mounted" upon said frame and having a plurality of crank portions, arms carried by said crank'portioris', links pivotally connected" at one end to said frame and at their opposite ends to said arms substan tially intermediate their ends, and means for driving said'crank' shaft to oscillate said arms through closed paths to successively engage the material gathered by'said prongs and forlifting and moving it rearwardly' thereupon, said crank thereupon and then downwardly and rearwardly to disengage the" forks from said-material, the said forks being.- urgedupwardlyby the material and against the actionof said spring means as the said arms movedownwardly and rearward- 1y.

8. A sweep rake having aframe and material gathering-prongs, characterized by the provision of a plurality of oscillating arms mounted upon the frame, forks pivotally carried at the outer ends of the arms; springmeans normally maintaining the forks, in substantial alignment with said arms, meansfor oscillating the arms to cause the forks to move forwardly and upwardlyto engage-the material gathered by the prongs and move it rearwardly thereupon and then downwardly andrearwardly to disengage the forks from said material; thesaid forks being urged upwardly by; the material and-against the action of said spring means as the said arms move downwardly and rearwardly, and struts forming apart of the frame extending forwardly and downwardly at opposite sides of said arms and acting to strip the material from the forks upon downwardand rearward movement thereof and for urging; said material in an upward direction.

9; A sweep rake having aframe and forwardly directed material gatheringprongs carried by said frame, a horizontal-crank shaft rotatablymounted upon said frame and having a plurality of crank portions, arms: carried by said crank portions, links pivotally connected atone end tosaid frame and at their opposite endsto said arms, meansfor' supporting said rake adapted for attachment to" a tractor, and meanshaving operative connections with said crank shaft and tractor for driving said shaft to oscillatesaid' arms' through closed paths to engage the material gathered by saidprongs and forlifting and moving it rearwardly thereupon;

10. A sweep rake having a frame and forwardly directed material gathering prongs carried by said frame, a horizontal crank shaft rotatably mounted upon said frame and having a plurality of crank portions, arms carried. by said crank portions, links pivotally connected at one end to said frame and at their opposite ends to said arms intermediate the ends thereof, means for supporting said rake adapted for attachment to a tractor, means having operative connections with said crank shaft and tractor to effect rotation of said shaft to oscillate said arms through closed paths to engage the material gathered by said prongs and for lifting and moving it rearwardly thereupon, means attached to the frame of the rake and adapted to be connected to the tractor for raising and lowering the rake, and means carried by said supporting means adapted for attachment to the tractor to impart turning movement of the tractor to the rake.

11. A sweep rake having a frame and material gathering prongs, characterized by the provision of a plurality of movable elements carried by the frame for engaging the material gathered by the prongs and for moving it rearwardly thereupon, means also carried by said frame for actuating said movable elements, and rods pivoted at their upper ends to the frame and extending forwardly and downwardly, said rods being inoperative when the rake is being moved forwardly to gather the material but adapted to dig into the ground and to effect unloading of the material when the rake is moved rearwardly.

12. A sweep rake having a frame and material gathering prongs, characterized by the provision of a plurality of oscillating arms carried by the frame for engaging the material gathered by the prongs and for moving it rearwardly thereupon, means also carried by said frame for oscillating said arms, rods pivoted at their upper ends to the frame and extending forwardly and downwardly, and hooks pivotally carried at the lower ends of said rods, said hooks being adapted to ride freely over the ground when the rake is propelled forwardly but adapted to dig into the ground to hold said rods stationary and effect 10 unloading of the material, when the rake is moved rearwardly.

13. A sweep rake having a frame and forwardly directed material gathering prongs carried by said frame characterized by the provision of a horizontal crank shaft rotatably mounted upon said frame and having a plurality of crank portions, arms carried by said crank portions, links pivotally connected at one end to said frame and at their opposite ends to said arms substantially intermediate their ends, and means for rotating said crank shaft to oscillate the arms to cause the forward ends thereof to move forwardly and upwardly to engage the material gathered by the prongs and move it rearwardly thereupon and then downwardly and rearwardly to disengage the ends of said arms from said material.

14. A sweep rake having a frame and forwardly directed material gathering prongs carried by said frame, characterized by the provision of a plurality of oscillating arms mounted upon the frame, means for oscillating the arms to cause the outer ends thereof to move forwardly and upwardly to engage the material gathered by the prongs and move it rearwardly thereupon and then downwardly and rearwardly to disengage the ends of said arms from said material, and struts forming a part of the frame extending forwardly and downwardly at opposite sides of said arms and acting to strip the gathered material from the said arms upon downward and rearward movement thereof.

ANDREW DILLON STAUFFER.

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